Friday Hops

Well, it's almost the weekend again.  Where are the days going to?  It's been a busy week for me, but April is going to be a very busy month.  I finished the novella and my critique partner fine-tooth-combed-it, so now it's time to begin submissions.  Cross your fingers for a good result.  :)

The only hop this week is Elizabeth Sharp's Follow Friday for Writers.  Thanks Elizabeth!  This one's for anyone who writes, including anyone who writes a blog.  This week's question:  How do you deal with a bad review? 

This is actually quite timely for me, in a way.  My first book isn't scheduled for release until June, but I had entered one of RWA's writing contests against my gut feeling that said not to because I didn't know who the judges were.  I didn't expect to win (and, in fact, was disqualified just days after entering because I signed my contract with my publisher), but I was hoping that maybe I would get some useful feedback.  I was almost entirely wrong, except for one comment that gave me an idea for how I wanted to approach something later in the book.

What I wanted to do at first was write a blog post blasting the whole thing because of critiques that were silly and riddled with grammar errors.  What I did in reality, however, is called up my friends and told them, whereby we laughed our asses off at people who can't use dictionaries and write critiques filled with errors. You live and learn, but let me say that if you're a romance writer, the word for a man's bits and pieces that rhymes with sock seems to be a big problem for some people in contests like the one I entered.  Maybe it's only a problem for religious 28 year olds who write YA but judge paranormal adult romance contests.  I can't say for sure.  LOL 

In the end, what is the point in responding to a review?  It's one person's opinion, and unless they've been made the arbiter of good taste and great writing in your genre, they aren't worth the time it takes to blow up on them.  Move on. You've got stories to write.   

How do you join in the fun? So glad you asked. It’s really quite simple.

The rules

1)      1`. Follow this blog.

2)      2.  Follow Elizabeth Sharp, the originator of this hop

3)      3.  Follow the featured author of the week.

4)      4.  Go to Sharp words and copy the image code found there and paste it in your blog. Add your name to the link at the bottom of the post while you are there.

5)      5.  Copy and paste the rules in your blog, as well as this week’s question.

6)      6.  Answer the question

7)      7.  Follow, follow, follow. This is about networking, people, making connections with people in your community. So talk to us. We don't bite!

8)      8.  If someone stops by, says hi and follows you, the polite thing to do is follow back.

9)      9.  Comment here and introduce yourself and you just might find a new follower or two.